In October 2024, as part of the Seasons World Tour 2024, Jared Leto and his band Thirty Seconds to Mars visited Baku. This marked the triumphant return of the band to the stage with their sixth studio album, It's The End Of The World But It's A Beautiful Day. In an exclusive interview for NARGIS Magazine, Jared offers a candid glimpse into what fuels his creativity and keeps him grounded.
Life has an ability to humble you quickly.
What was your first impression of Baku?
Honestly, the people here are full of passion. I could feel it today. We met some lovely people early on, and they were so excited. It was just infectious. We love that energy – it makes the best show. The more passion – the better the experience!
Where’s your next show? Where are you travelling to after Baku?
We’re off to Romania next, and then Turkey! I’ve never been to Turkey before. We’re actually about to play our first show in Istanbul very soon.
Most people know you as an actor. So, would you say you’re more of an actor or a rock star?
Neither. I’m just a human – a citizen of the world. What do you enjoy doing as a human, like in everyday life? Oh, the simple things – eating, sleeping. I absolutely love a long, hot shower. It’s one of my favourite little rituals. I’m also really into rock climbing and free diving. Those activities just make me feel so alive.
Where do you free dive? Do you dive in America?
Usually in the Mediterranean. I love it there because it’s pretty peaceful – there aren’t too many sharks around. They tend to stay on the outskirts, which is just fine with me! Not so much in America, to be honest. Our oceans are home to a lot of sharks! If you’re after clear waters, Florida’s the place to go, but you’ve got to keep in mind it’s also known for being a hotspot for shark attacks. So, I tend to steer clear.
The more passion – the better the experience!
What’s been the best performance you’ve had with Thirty Seconds to Mars?
I think tonight’s performance is going to be the best one. Every show is important, but tonight feels extra special.
What do you expect from the crowd?
I’m expecting tons of energy – lots of singing, dancing, jumping, just pure excitement. Every time we play a show, we make sure to give everything we’ve got so the audience has the best night of their lives. It’s all about creating memories together and making it an unforgettable experience for everyone.
But you still do movies. How do you choose your roles?
I pick them carefully. I really enjoyed playing Paolo Gucci in “House of Gucci”. He was such an unpredictable character – full of depth and surprise. It was an exciting role to take on.
You’re so famous, yet you stay so grounded. How do you do it?
Well… I think success is a bit of a tricky thing. It’s built on a lot of failure. If success were a cake, it’d mostly be made of failure. You fail a lot, and unless you’re a sociopath, it humbles you. Fame, especially these days, is a whole different challenge. The thing with fame is that it’s really just a by-product of your work. It’s not the goal, and it’s not something you strive for. It happens when you put in the work, but it’s not the reason you’re doing it. Life has a funny way of humbling you quickly, though. I think it’s hard to get too inflated in this business if you stick around long enough. It’ll teach you a thing or two. How do you balance music and acting? The biggest challenge is time. I’m always trying to find enough hours in the day to do both. It’s all about sacrifices and being willing to say no sometimes. You might have to turn down an amazing movie opportunity because you’ve already committed to touring. If I had to choose, though, I’d always pick music. It’s such an important part of my life, and my brother’s too. We’ve shared this journey. We were signed to our label in 1998, so it’s been a long ride.
I think success is a bit of a tricky thing. It's built on a lot of failure.
Do you get along with your brother while going on the tour? Who has the last word?
Yeah, pretty well. I’d say we kind of give each other the last word. You’ve got to let the other person think they have it. It’s the way to keep things balanced. We’ve been doing this together for so long that there’s no room for constant conflict. It’s just too uncomfortable. So, we check ourselves and make sure we’re giving more than we expect to receive. We always have good intentions, thinking about each other and making sure we’re being of service. What’s great about touring is that every day is an opportunity to do better. You can always improve. If one night didn’t go as well as you’d hoped, the next night you try even harder. You’re giving a little bit of yourself to the audience every night, helping to create a shared experience. That’s the magic of being on stage – you’re there to serve the crowd and create something special for them.
You’ve achieved so much in both movies and music. I mean, you seem to have it all. So, what’s your dream?
Well, I will try to break it down into smaller pieces. One of the big ones is contentment, you know? Being content, balanced, and having equity in many parts of life. Those things are important because from them comes a more fulfilled existence. It’s incredible to visit a country for the first time, but it’s even better to return for the second, third, or tenth time. We’ll probably be back here for the tenth time, and getting here is always quite the journey, especially for our crew. Our truck got stuck, and our team has been working through the night, starting their day at 5 a.m. It’s been tough, but so rewarding. We’re thrilled to be here and feel incredibly lucky.
What’s your advice for the younger generation?
My advice is to work as hard as you can. If you have an idea of what you want to do in life, the sooner you start, the better – it’s all about getting going. But it’s okay if you don’t know yet. Time is a weapon – it’s an incredibly valuable tool. If you’re willing to work harder than everyone else and make sacrifices – that’s a great start. Because the most fun I’ve found in life isn’t going on vacation or buying clothes or getting a new haircut – it’s doing what you love.
But what if their family doesn’t support them or believe in them?
Then they have to say goodbye to their family. If your family doesn’t believe in you, sometimes you have to let them go. They should be the first people to believe in you. If the family try to stop you from living your dreams, you have to follow your dreams anyway. And if they love you, they’ll understand eventually.
•For his role as the heroin-addicted Harry Goldfarb in Requiem for a Dream, the actor lost 28 pounds and immersed himself in the lives of real heroin addicts on the streets of Brooklyn to authentically portray the character.
•Beyond his artistic endeavours, he is an avid tech investor with stakes in companies like Uber and Airbnb.
•Leto is fascinated by outer space and often incorporates cosmic themes into Thirty Seconds to Mars lyrics and visuals.
•The musician and his band organise an annual retreat called Mars Island, where fans can join them for immersive music, yoga, and relaxation on a private island.
•The Latin phrase tattooed on Jared's chest says "Provehito in Altum," which means "Launch forth in the depth." It is also his band's motto.
